Is it unethical to bowhunt in the rain? Simple question that could spark a great discussion - Lets hear your opinion.
I feel bowhunting in the rain isn't unethical in itself. However you have to be careful with the decisions you make while doing so. It can be easy to make poor, perhaps even unethical, decisions while it's raining. Personally I prefer to keep my shots closer and more "perfect" than I would under dry conditions.
No, but it can be and before a rain too. Hunting limits need to be adapted to conditions sometimes and if they are not they could be considered unethical in my opinion.
I've never been a fan of it. If you have bowhunted for very long, you have found deer for one and only one reason; they left a blood trail. Deer that never would have been found without the blood trail. I have an issue with shooting a deer with a bow and knowing ahead of time that I will not have a blood trail if I need one. I just don't think most guys have the discipline to restrict themselves to absolute slam-dunk shots in rainy conditions. Even then, we have all screwed up the easiest of shots and needed the blood to trail. To each his own.
Is it ethical to hunt when it's windy? Before a rain? Before a snowstorm? When the snow is rapidly melting? Maybe we should limit ourselves to hunting with .300 win mag at distances no farther than 50 yards*. It would be the ethical thing to do. *But first you must prove competency with said weapon.
Justin answered it perfectly. While I never had a shot opportunity one of my best sits ever was during an all day drizzle/light rain. Had something like 19 sightings that day. Was drawn back on a big 6 from the ground, but didn't have the shot. I always change my shot choices if it's raining or supposed to rain.
I have many times cancelled a hunt that was planned in advance just for this reason. 2 years ago I lost the biggest deer I've ever shot (Still alive today) but it really grounded me. I don't mind sitting in the rain but unless you have an open field or are VERY familiar with your property, I usually pass.
My second biggest buck to date, I shot during a torrential downpour. I didn't change my shot choices. I only shot at whitetails if they were 25 yards or less. He was 20 yards. I went after him immediately because I knew he was heart shot. Had him tagged in about 5 mins. :D
If it rains when I travel to Ohio in a few weeks I will still hunt . At home I will probably stay in in the rain because of laziness.
There is always a chance of something going bad in any situation. Rain, snow, sunny and bright, dusk, or early light. None of that makes our hunts unethical. Even bad choices aren't unethical if you made them with the right intentions and thinking they are good choices as you made them. Just hunt legally when you can and do your best.
It takes more rain than most think to wash away a good blood trail. I enjoy hunting in a light rain... a downpour or impending downpour is another matter. It is unethical to shoot one with a known approaching heavy storm and knowing you will not have enough time to let the deer die before taking up the trail... and/or attempting any shot beyond your ability for the conditions.
